Can testosterone be taken safely?
Testosterone injections may be safe for many people when they follow a doctor's instructions. However, research has also linked testosterone therapy with several side effects and possible complications. Possible negative effects of testosterone therapy may include: an increased risk of cardiovascular complications.Dec 6, 2019
What are the negative effects of testosterone replacement therapy?
What Are the Side Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy?Acne or oily skin.Mild fluid retention.Stimulation of prostate tissue, with perhaps some increased urination symptoms such as a decreased stream or frequency.Increased risk of developing prostate abnormalities.Breast enlargement.Increased risk of blood clots.More items...•Nov 22, 2021
Is TRT worth the risk?
There is no proof that it will restore you to the level of physical fitness or sexual function of your youth, make you live longer, prevent heart disease or prostate cancer, or improve your memory or mental sharpness. Do not seek TRT therapy with these expectations in mind.
Does TRT shorten life?
The cardiovascular issues associated with TRT have been clarified by recent studies showing that therapy associated with clear increases in serum testosterone levels to the normal range is associated with reduced all-cause mortality.
What are the dangers of taking testosterone?
Testosterone therapy has various risks, including:Worsening sleep apnea — a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.Causing acne or other skin reactions.Stimulating noncancerous growth of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and growth of existing prostate cancer.More items...
Can TRT damage your liver?
The testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) testosterone undecanoate oral capsules shows no evidence of liver toxicity, according to data from a two-year, multi-center study presented at ENDO 2021.
When should you get testosterone therapy?
TRT is usually given to older men in their early 50s as this is when you start to notice the effects of decreasing testosterone levels. It's a good age to start treatment as the decline is only just beginning, and so you won't have as many effects as someone in their 60s or even their 70s.
How long does a testosterone injection last?
Injections of Testosterone will last approximately 15-17 days and after that there will be a dramatic drop. The 14 day treatment schedule keeps that dramatic drop from occurring. How long will it take to see improvements?
What happens if low testosterone goes untreated?
Many men notice that this correlates with a loss of sexual desire, which is totally normal. Sometimes, however, testosterone levels drop too low. This can reduce your bones' strength and muscle mass, exacerbate sexual issues, and lead to a host of health issues. Low testosterone can be dangerous if not treated.
How long does it take to feel the effects of testosterone injections?
Most individuals will start to notice significant changes within 4 to 6 weeks of beginning treatment with testosterone injections, but some changes may actually be felt and seen much earlier.
What Happens to Testosterone Levels With Age?
Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As you get older, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically...
Does A Naturally Declining Testosterone Level Cause The Signs and Symptoms of Aging?
Not necessarily. Men can experience many signs and symptoms as they age. Some may occur as a result of lower testosterone levels and can include: 1...
Can Testosterone Therapy Promote Youth and Vitality?
Testosterone therapy can help reverse the effects of hypogonadism, but it's unclear whether testosterone therapy would have any benefit for older m...
What Are The Risks of Testosterone Therapy For Normal Aging?
Testosterone therapy has various risks. For example, testosterone therapy may: 1. Contribute to sleep apnea — a potentially serious sleep disorder...
Should You Talk to Your Doctor About Testosterone Therapy?
If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Your doctor will likely meas...
Understand The Potential Risks and Consider Alternatives Before Boosting Your Hormones indefinitely.
Millions of American men use a prescription testosterone gel or injection to restore normal levels of the manly hormone. The ongoing pharmaceutical...
What Are The Risks of Testosterone Therapy?
A relatively small number of men experience immediate side effects of testosterone supplementation, such as acne, disturbed breathing while sleepin...
Take Stock of Your Health First
1. Have you considered other reasons why you may be experiencing fatigue, low sex drive, and other symptoms attributable to low testosterone? For e...
Get An Accurate Assessment
1. Inaccurate or misinterpreted test results can either falsely diagnose or miss a case of testosterone deficiency. Your testosterone level should...
Be Mindful of Unknown Risks
1. Approach testosterone therapy with caution if you are at high risk for prostate cancer; have severe urinary symptoms from prostate enlargement;...
Have Realistic Expectations
Testosterone therapy is not a fountain of youth. There is no proof that it will restore you to the level of physical fitness or sexual function of...
What is testosterone replacement therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a reasonable treatment option often discussed for men with low testosterone levels and symptoms of hypogonadism. When replaced, many of the positive effects of testosterone are regained.[4] .
What are the factors that affect TRT?
Factors such as exacerbation of prostate cancer, male breast cancer, worsening benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), polycythemia and an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) should be considered when administering TRT to a patient.
Can TRT cause prostate cancer?
Taken together, there has been consistent rejection that TRT causes development of prostate cancer in men, however administration of TRT for hypogonadal men previously treated for high-risk prostate cancer should be taken with caution. BREAST CANCER.
Does testosterone increase hemoglobin?
Testosterone leads to an increase in hemoglobin by as much as 5-7%[1,25] through its effect on the production of erythropoietin, which can dramatically improve symptoms of anemia in men.[40,41] Studies looking at the occurrence of polycythemia as a negative side-effect in men on testosterone therapy are rare.
Is TRT good for men?
The benefits seen with TRT, such as increased libido and energy level, beneficial effects on bone density, strength and muscle as well as cardioprotective effects, have been well-documented. TRT is contraindicated in men with untreated prostate and breast cancer. Men on TRT should be monitored for side-effects such as polycythemia, ...
What are the side effects of testosterone?
What are the risks of testosterone therapy? A relatively small number of men experience immediate side effects of testosterone treatment, such as acne, disturbed breathing while sleeping, breast swelling or tenderness, or swelling in the ankles.
How to test for testosterone?
Get an accurate assessment 1 Inaccurate or misinterpreted test results can either falsely diagnose or miss a case of testosterone deficiency. Your testosterone level should be measured between 7 am and 10 am, when it's at its peak. Confirm a low reading with a second test on a different day. It may require multiple measurements and careful interpretation to establish bioavailable testosterone, or the amount of the hormone that is able to have effects on the body. Consider getting a second opinion from an endocrinologist. 2 After starting therapy, follow-up with your physician periodically to have testosterone checks and other lab tests to make sure the therapy is not causing any problems with your prostate or blood chemistry.
What is testosterone gel?
Millions of American men use a prescription testosterone injection or gel as forms of testosterone replacement therapy (often referred to as TRT therapy) to restore normal levels of the manly hormone. The ongoing pharmaceutical marketing blitz promises that low T treatment can make men feel more alert, energetic, mentally sharp, ...
Is testosterone good for youth?
Have realistic expectations. Testosterone therapy is not a fountain of youth. There is no proof that it will restore you to the level of physical fitness or sexual function of your youth, make you live longer, prevent heart disease or prostate cancer, or improve your memory or mental sharpness.
How to replace testosterone?
There is no one-size-fits-all formula for testosterone replacement. It’s essential to work with your doctor to evaluate your free testosterone levels and explore your optimal levels based on your body’s unique responses and feedback. Once you and your physician identify your optimal testosterone range, you can expect to enjoy many of these results: 1 Increase in sexual desire and performance 2 Natural antidepressant effects 3 Reduction in visceral fat 4 Increase in lean mass 5 Decreased risk of heart attack and stroke 6 Lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease 7 Enhanced cognitive function and concentration 8 Improved energy and drive
Why is testosterone important?
As an essential male hormone, testosterone plays a critical role in a man’s sexual health, reproductive development, and overall well being. This explains why testosterone is often labeled “ the most necessary male hormone.”. Testosterone directly controls many elements of a man’s physiological functions: Libido.
What is bioidentical hormone?
Bioidentical hormones offer a solution for men suffering from low or suboptimal testosterone levels. These hormones mimic your body’s natural testosterone hormones right down to their chemical composition.
How does testosterone help with aging?
Diminished energy and overall vitality. Optimal testosterone levels give you a way to slow the aging process and regain your vitality. Work with an experienced doctor who customizes your testosterone replacement therapy to your exact testosterone levels. It won’t take long for your health to be transformed.
Who is Aaron Wenzel?
Dr. Aaron Wenzel is a concierge physician specializing in the care of fast-moving entrepreneurs, executives, and public figures in the Nashville, TN area. Dr. Wenzel’s diverse life experience and extensive training in family medicine, emergency care, nutrition, and hormone replacement therapies give him the unique platform to provide unmatched care for his patients.
What is BHRT therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy ( BHRT) is designed to recalibrate your body’s hormone levels. Restoring testosterone levels back into optimal range achieves significant therapeutic benefits. Above all, BHRT makes it possible to coordinate the body’s most important functions and improve your wellbeing.
Is testosterone replacement therapy a cardiovascular risk?
The National Institutes of Health publishes a study in 2015 titled “ Testosterone Replacement Therapy a Cardiovascular Risk: A Review ”. It concluded that no existing data supports a causal role between bioidentical hormone therapy and adverse cardiovascular events.
How to raise testosterone levels?
Take good care of yourself. Exercise and a healthy diet can help raise testosterone levels.
Is TRT dangerous?
Two large studies, one published last fall and the other in January, suggest that TRT poses severe, sometimes fatal risks, including heart attack and other serious problems. Both studies have vocal critics. They claim the data doesn't support the studies' conclusions.
How much testosterone is needed for men?
Most adult men average about 679 ng/dl, although some researchers suggest that 400–600 is optimal in healthy individuals. Testosterone decreases naturally with age, ...
Why does testosterone decrease with age?
Low testosterone can also be caused by tumors in the pituitary gland or testes, especially in younger men, as well as diseases such as type 2 diabetes. It also has been strongly linked to obesity.
What is Androgel used for?
Key Points. Testosterone replacement therapies — such as AndroGel, made by pharmaceutical company AbbVie — are prescribed to men as a salve for symptoms that include low sex drive, fatigue, depression and other ailments related to aging. Hypogonadism, the medical term for the condition in which the testicles don’t make enough testosterone, ...
How much is TRT market?
Despite this, the TRT market — expected to reach $3.8 billion globally by 2022, up from $2 billion in 2012 — is booming. According to Global Industry Analysts, the uptick is being fueled by the growing prevalence of hypogonadism due to the increase in the aging male population. Hypogonadism is the medical term for the condition in which the testicles don’t make enough testosterone. The condition, roughly defined as having a level under 300 ng/dl, affects about 30 percent of men over age 65.
Who coined the term "low T"?
Halis Kaan Akturk. professor of medicine at the University of Colorado and former Mayo Clinic doctor. The term Low-T was coined by Abraham Morgentaler , a professor of urology at Harvard Medical School and the director of Men’s Health Boston.
Does testosterone affect libido?
Multiple studies have found that testosterone effectively boosts libido and sexual function for older men with hypogonadism.
How many men are affected by hypogonadism?
Comparatively, hypogonadism affects about 3 percent to 5 percent of men under age 45. For them, side effects may be much more dangerous, including permanent infertility, said Halis Kaan Akturk, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado and formerly a doctor at the Mayo Clinic.
